There are some great presenters out there who seem to deliver sales presentations, corporate video messages, and new product demonstrations with total ease.
You might even be one of them.
To the audience, these presentations may seem “off the cuff” and unrehearsed. In reality, though, most of these presenters have practised and practised before filming.
Do you want to level up your presentation skills to make a good impression on your audience? If so, learning how to use the teleprompter is a must. Here are 10 teleprompter tips that will help you improve your performance during interview video production:
Table of Contents
Write Your Script Right
One of the most important video tips for those who are reading from a teleprompter has to do with the way you write your script.
When you write a script for a corporate video, interview video, or any other type of video, write it to be spoken rather than read. Remember, your audience will be hearing your words, but they won’t be able to see them. Because of this, you need to write your script in a way that sounds natural and enticing to your target customer.
Think about how the average person speaks. They typically use a lot of contractions — such as “we’ve,” not “we have” and “we’re”, not “we are.” Make sure you’re doing the same in your script.
Keep in mind, too, that it’s generally easier to read a script written in both capital and lower case letters, rather than one that’s written in all capital letters. Limit your use of all-capitals to when you want to EMPHASISE a particular word.
Write out numbers in full, too. For example, write “one thousand, four hundred and sixty” rather than “1,460.” This helps you ensure you get them right the first time.
Score Your Script
“Scoring” your script is also helpful when it comes to making it as easily readable as possible.
When you score your script, you give yourself a guide on how to read it properly when it’s displayed on the teleprompter. Here are some examples of how you can score your script:
- Use all caps or underline words you want to emphasise
- Mark where you want to take a pause
- Mark where you know you need to stop and take a breath
Scoring your script helps you sound more relaxed when reading. It also creates a more natural flow and helps your voice feel less wooden.
Practise, Practise, Practise
There’s no substitute for good, old-fashioned practice. The more you rehearse and personalise the script, the easier it will be for you to put meaning to your words and make a good impression on your audience.
Remember, it’s not enough to just read through the script silently in your head. You also need to read out loud — after all, that’s how you’ll be reading the script when you meet with the videography team and start filming.
Reading aloud gives you a chance to hear how the words roll off your tongue. It also lets you know if you need to make changes to the text and make it easier for you to deliver.
Pick The Right Pace
When you work with our videography team at 1 Minute Media, we’ll do a practice reading of your script using the teleprompter. We will also reset the teleprompter so it moves at the right pace for you – not the other way around.
Don’t worry about rushing to keep up with the teleprompter. We will work with you to figure out the right speed.
At the same time, you should also bear in mind that a video presentation should be delivered at a snappier pace than a live presentation. Because of this, you’ll want to avoid setting the pace too slow.
Do you want to practice before the big day? We use the Teleprompt + app, and you can download it from the App Store if you want to rehearse before your shoot.
Increase Your Energy
Add passion to your performance by upping your energy while you read. Remember, film can somewhat hide your energy level. To compensate for this, you’ll need to be a little more “over the top” than you would be normally.
What might seem like “too much” at first will translate wonderfully onto the screen. If you “turn yourself up” — not in volume, but in emotion — you’ll instantly become more interesting and appealing to potential customers or clients.
Put A Smile On Your Face
Don’t forget to smile!
Smiling is perhaps the simplest way to connect with your audience. The warmth of a smile is a must — at the very least at the beginning and very end of your delivery — even if you’re discussing a serious topic.
Make And Maintain Eye Contact
The magic of the teleprompter is that it enables you to look directly into the camera lens. This creates the illusion of eye contact and helps you connect with your audience.
Take full advantage of the teleprompter magic by not looking away. Your continuous gaze will engage your audience. If you move your eyes away from the camera frequently, you may end up looking a little “shifty.”
If you find yourself struggling with this, keep your eyes set on the middle of the teleprompter. Let the words rise to meet your eye position, and move your head a little — especially on words you want to emphasise — to minimise visible eye movement on the screen.
Don’t Forget Non-Verbal Communication
As you know, humans communicate with more than just the words they say. Nonverbal communication is just as important.
Use gestures and expressions to amplify your words, stress important points, and show that you are passionate about what you’re saying. Move your head, too — just not too much!
Trust The Teleprompter
You can trust that the words will be there when you need them. There’s no need to worry about speeding up or slowing down your reading speed to follow the teleprompter.
Remember, the operator will make the adjustments to match your speed. They’ll work with you to strike a balance and free you up to focus on your delivery.
Don’t Forget To Have Fun!
Our last — and most important — teleprompter tip for professional video production is to enjoy the experience.
At the end of the day, it’s only a video!
